Sale, use of fireworks on Maine lawmakers’ agenda

AUGUSTA, Maine — Among the final bills to be taken up by Maine lawmakers as they finish up business for 2011 is a proposal to make fireworks sales and use legal.

Rep. Douglas Damon’s bill, which is among several to be voted on Tuesday, would allow “commercial” fireworks, which include some firecrackers and devices that explode in the air. But the Bangor Republican says the big unanswered question is whether lawmakers will approve the $27,000 cost of the legislation in its first year.

Damon says that if they become legal, fireworks sales will later generate money for the state.

Opponents want to keep the present prohibition on the books because they say fireworks are dangerous.